Overview The Master of Public Administration in European Studies (MPA-ES) is an interdisciplinary, English‑taught Master of Arts that examines how emerging technologies and policy interact at the EU level. Focusing on energy, transport, climate and digitalisation from both political and technological perspectives, the programme combines RWTH Aachen University’s strengths in science and engineering with the EU’s current political and economic agenda. You will learn to connect contemporary trends with policy fields and to design solutions for European and global challenges.
What you will gain By bringing together politics, law, economics and technology, the MPA-ES offers a rounded understanding of how new technologies shape EU governance—and how EU regulation affects technological development. The programme prepares graduates for leadership roles in public institutions, EU bodies, and private-sector organisations that operate within or are shaped by the EU market and regulatory environment.
Study tracks To tailor your studies to a specific career path, you must choose one of two specialisation tracks:
Requirements (key facts)
Program structure and delivery
The programme combines concentrated on-campus attendance blocks with extended periods of self-study and a flexible internship phase that you can complete from anywhere. Digital learning tools — including track-dependent online seminars and a comprehensive learning platform with readings, recorded lectures and resources — supplement face-to-face teaching to create a blended learning experience well suited to international students balancing travel or professional commitments.
Key modules and components
You will take compulsory courses covering how the European Union functions, together with required modules specific to your chosen track. The curriculum also includes soft‑skills training, a language course, and either a practical internship or a research project, concluding with a Master’s thesis that can be supervised internally by an institute or externally in cooperation with a company. These elements are designed to provide both theoretical foundations and hands‑on experience.
Learning outcomes and what you will gain
Graduates acquire a solid understanding of EU institutions, decision‑making and policy processes, plus applied skills in policy analysis, research design, project and stakeholder management, and professional communication. The combination of blended teaching, practical placements and a thesis option prepares you for roles in public administration, EU organisations, NGOs, consultancies and international companies, while the language and soft‑skills modules strengthen your employability across multilingual European contexts.
Program components (requirements)
This program requires applicants to hold a completed bachelor's degree and to have practical professional experience. You should ensure your undergraduate qualification is recognized as equivalent to the relevant national standard and be prepared to provide official transcripts and degree certificates as part of your application — check the program website for details on document formats and equivalency rules.
In addition to your degree, you must have at least six months of relevant work experience by the time you submit your application. Relevant experience typically includes paid or substantial unpaid roles related to public administration, policy, governance, NGOs, research, or similar fields; ensure you can document the duties and duration of the position(s) on your CV or with employer references.
Admission requirements (concise)
Winter Semester (International)
1 March 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 July 2026
Graduates are prepared for policy, advisory and management roles where technical knowledge and regulatory expertise intersect. Typical career paths include positions in EU institutions and agencies, national or regional public administrations, regulatory and compliance units, international organisations, NGOs, consultancies, and private-sector firms active in energy, transport, climate policy or digital governance.
The programme's combination of technical and policy training, plus internship/research experience, aims to equip you for roles such as policy analyst, regulatory affairs specialist, sustainability or mobility project manager, digital public administration advisor, or consultant working on EU market and regulatory issues.
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